Bring Reading Rainbow Back for Every Child, Everywhere!

$5,408,916

105,857

Jul 1 - FINAL ADD-ON REWARDS IN UPDATE 26: For our final 24 hours, we've added limited edition DODOcases, Picnic Blankets, downloadable episodes of the original series and a live online event with Donald Glover & LeVar... from a boat!

Jun 27 - MORE HUGE NEWS IN UPDATE 22:We've entered the Top 5 Kickstarter Projects... and the other four (Pebble, OUYA, Pono, Veronica Mars) have ALL offered special new rewards to help us get into more schools! Read more now!

Hi. LeVar Burton here. You may know me as Kunta Kinte, from ROOTS, or Geordi La Forge, from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

You also may have grown up with me on Reading Rainbow.

It was my mother who taught me that, by picking up a book, I could "go anywhere" and "be anything." Ever since Reading Rainbow began in 1983, I have dedicated myself to fostering a love of reading in children, just as my mother did for me.

Over the past year, I have watched Kickstarter bring communities together to support artists and inventors. Again and again, I have been inspired by watching like-minded people team up to accomplish impossible dreams, and to change the world.

Now, I am hoping you will join me on my mission: to bring Reading Rainbow back for every child, everywhere.

Together, we can change the lives of millions of children. But you don't have to take my word for it: just keep reading!

I believe that every child has a right, and a need, to be literate. We have a responsibility to prepare our children… and right now, the numbers show that we, as a society, are failing in that responsibility.

And here’s the problem:

And: numerous studies reveal that children who can't read at grade level by the 4th grade are 400% more likely to drop out of high school.

And: as of 2011, America was the only free-market country where the current generation was less well educated than the one before.

These problems won't solve themselves. Real change will require us all to work together. We cannot afford to lose generations of children to illiteracy. And if we work together, we don't have to.

Through Reading Rainbow, we've been working to solve these problems for over three decades. Starting in 1983, Reading Rainbow successfully used television to turn generations of kids into lifelong readers... with great results.

Of course, when Reading Rainbow began in 1983, we were using television to bring books to kids, meeting them where they wanted to be. In 2014, TV is not that place anymore. Now, we’re trying to reach a new generation of digital natives.

That’s why, two years ago, I launched the Reading Rainbow App for tablets. Building on the basics of the television series, we put hundreds of quality books – and educational video field trips – right in a child’s hands.

The response has been encouraging:

But despite this progress, there are big challenges left to face.

First, not all families have access to tablets. Our goal is to cultivate a love of reading in all children, not just those that have tablets. To reach kids everywhere, we need to be everywhere: we need to be on the web, on mobile devices, on game consoles and on connected televisions.

Second, a resounding number of teachers have told me that they want Reading Rainbow in their classrooms, where they know it can make a difference. We will provide it, along with the tools that teachers need, including teacher guides, leveling, and dashboards. And with your help, we'll provide it to thousands of disadvantaged classrooms for FREE.

Every Home. Reading Rainbow’s digital collection already contains hundreds of books and video field trips… but with your help, we’ll be able to make the Reading Rainbow library available on more of the devices modern kids use to consume content. Now that we've met our initial goal of $1,000,000, we will be able to launch a new version of Reading Rainbow on the single most-used digital platform: the web. And now that we've reached our stretch goal of$5,000,000, we'll also be able to bring the service to mobile phones, Android, game consoles like XBOX and PlayStation, and set-top boxes like AppleTV and ROKU.

Every Classroom.
Together, we want to provide Reading Rainbow to as many classrooms as possible FOR FREE! Now that we've reached our stretch goal of $5,000,000, we'll be able to provide year-long subscriptions in over 7,500 classrooms – and every additional $100K we raise lets us help 500 more!

No matter how much we raise, we promise that every dollar you pledge will bring Reading Rainbow to more platforms, and provide it for free in more classrooms.

We can make sure that millions of kids learn to love reading, but we can’t do it without you. That's why I hope you’ll join me in making a difference!

I believe that spreading the love of reading is its own greatest reward. But if you're going to join our cause, we also have some wonderful prizes. But you don't have to take my word for it... Take a look!

Aside from the signed book, the rewards above will be available to anyone who pledges!

But we also have several LIMITED EDITION rewards... so be sure to get them before we run out! (And if we DO run out, keep checking back -- we'll do our best to add more when we can!)

Or, if you prefer, you can also pledge for a reward package that will be gifted to the classroom or school of your choice!

And, if you're just interested in Star Trek related rewards, and don't want all of the Reading Rainbow goodies above, we've also got a few special reward levels created just for you:

This Kickstarter – and Reading Rainbow – couldn't happen alone, so I want you to meet the full team behind our Kickstarter.

Everytime I walk into the office, I am reminded that the Reading Rainbow team is made up of passionate, talented artists, producers, engineers, and so many more. Most of them grew up on the show, have families of their own now, and dedicate their working day to improving the lives of the next generation.

It's an honor to be surrounded by my Reading Rainbow family every day, and we can't wait for you to join us. And if you do, you'll be hearing from several of us throughout the campaign, and after that, in our backer updates. Click on the picture below to learn more about us!

Risks and challenges

The real risks and challenges we face don't lie in completing this project, but in the problems that we'll face without it.

If we raise our minimum funding goal, we do not anticipate ANY significant challenges or risks in completing the project.

As with all Kickstarter projects, there is always a risk of delay in delivering some of the rewards, but we've been careful to give ourselves MORE time than we think we'll need – so we hope we'll have some, or all, of the rewards out SOONER than listed.

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Pledge $25 or more
About $25

MONTH OF READING Package // All of the rewards above, plus a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of the special Reading Rainbow Collector's Episode AND a MONTH-LONG subscription to the Reading Rainbow App, with access to the entire Reading Rainbow Library! (More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $30 or more
About $30

JUST THE CALENDAR Package // Want to grab a copy of the amazing Reading Rainbow 2015 CALENDAR, featuring new, original art created for us by the artists behind Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, and tons of your favorite comics and children's books? This is for you! Includes just the 2015 CALENDAR. // This reward does not include the lower reward levels, and is not included as part of the higher reward levels.

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Pledge $140 or more
About $140

The PEBBLE + RR SMARTWATCH Package /// Created as a one-time exclusive for this campaign by Team Pebble, this Jet-Black Pebble Smartwatch has LeVar's name laser-etched on the back, gives you early access to a custom watchface featuring 8-BIT LEVAR, and costs LESS than Pebble's retail models! ONLY 500 AVAILABLE! /// Does NOT include any other rewards. If you want the rewards in the $200 package, please add $200 to your total pledge amount.

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Pledge $145 or more
About $145

The PEBBLE + RR SMARTWATCH Package, Round 2 /// MORE ADDED DUE TO DEMAND!!! /// Created as a one-time exclusive for this campaign by Team Pebble, this Jet-Black Pebble Smartwatch has LeVar's name laser-etched on the back, gives you early access to a custom watchface featuring 8-BIT LEVAR, and costs LESS than Pebble's retail models! ONLY 500 AVAILABLE! /// Does NOT include any other rewards. If you want the rewards in the $200 package, please add $200 to your total pledge amount.

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Pledge $175 or more
About $175

READING YEAR-ROUND Package // Everything in the $125 package, plus the Kickstarter exclusive READING RAINBOW 2015 CALENDAR (full of great illustrations AND a place to list all of the books your child reads) AND a full YEAR subscription to the Reading Rainbow app. (More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $250 or more
About $250

PERSONALIZED AUTOGRAPH Package // Everything in the $200 package, plus a personalized AUTOGRAPHED HEADSHOT of your choice from LeVar, calling out how you made this happen! (More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $250 or more
About $250

The OUYA + RR GAME CONSOLE Package /// Created as a one-time exclusive with a new "SKY BLUE" color just for this campaign, this Android-based game console and controller are a great way to bring Reading Rainbow -- and hundreds of games and apps -- to any HDMI-enabled screen. Plus, if you get this reward package, your OUYA will come HAND-SIGNED BY LEVAR. ONLY 500 AVAILABLE AS REWARDS. Unsigned version can be added to ANY reward. Add $175 to your pledge, or donate to a school in need for $150. /// Does NOT include any other rewards. If you want the rewards in the $200 package, please add $200 to your total pledge amount.

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Pledge $275 or more
About $275

PERSONALIZED AUTOGRAPH Package, Round 2 // Everything in the $200 package, plus a personalized AUTOGRAPHED HEADSHOT of your choice from LeVar, calling out how you made this happen! (More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $300 or more
About $300

SIGNED ARTIST PRINTS /// A limited edition art print of your favorite artist's contribution to the 2015 Reading Rainbow calendar, signed by the artist AND LeVar. / Once the campaign ends, you'll let us know which artist's print you want. /// Does NOT include any other rewards. If you want the rewards in the $200 package, please add $200 to your total pledge amount!

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Pledge $300 or more
About $300

RRL + THE WOMEN OF STAR TREK (Stand-Alone) /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar, Kate Mulgrew, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden and Jeri Ryan for a special LIVE event in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! // Does NOT include any other rewards or packages. If you want the $200 rewards, please select the $500 version of this reward! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Event timing TBD, Winter 2015. More details under REWARDS.

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Pledge $300 or more
About $300

RRL + THE MEN OF STAR TREK (Stand-Alone) /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn & Robert Picardo for a special LIVE event in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! // Does NOT include any other rewards or packages. If you want the $200 rewards, please select the $500 version of this reward! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Event timing TBD, Winter 2015. More details under REWARDS.

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Pledge $300 or more
About $300

RRL + WILLIAM SHATNER (Stand-Alone) /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar and William Shatner for a special LIVE storytime event in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! // Does NOT include any other rewards or packages. If you want the $200 rewards, please select the $500 version of this reward! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Event timing TBD, Winter 2015. More details under REWARDS.

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Pledge $350 or more
About $350

LEVAR FOLLOWS ME Package // Everything in the $200 package, plus @LeVarBurton will FOLLOW YOU ON TWITTER for one year, and LeVar will write a personal tweet to thank you! Almost 2 MILLION people follow LeVar: now HE'LL follow YOU! (More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $350 or more
About $350

HANG WITH LEVAR @ A CON!* /// You'll receive 2 FULL PASSES to a Trek or Comic Con, where you and a guest will also hang with LeVar at a PRIVATE VIP Meet & Greet, to get autographs and photos! Plus, you'll each receive a signed headshot, an exclusive collectible, and a special Reading Rainbow/Star Trek DVD! // Choose from conventions in LOUISVILLE, KY (Aug 1-3); PITTSBURGH, PA (Aug 8-10); CHICAGO, IL (Aug 21-24); MONTREAL, Canada (Sept 12-14); LONDON, UK (Oct 3-5). // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. No other rewards included.

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Pledge $350 or more
About $350

SIGNED HEADSHOT + TWITTER FOLLOW // Get your choice of AUTOGRAPHED HEADSHOT from LeVar, made out to you. PLUS, LeVar will follow YOU on Twitter for one year! Almost 2 MILLION people follow LeVar: now HE'LL follow YOU! // (No other rewards included. More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $375 or more
About $375

ADOPT A CLASSROOM Package // A classroom of YOUR CHOICE will be one of the first to get access to Reading Rainbow's new classroom app, and LeVar will record a personal video message for the class! (Includes a year-long classroom subscription.)

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Pledge $375 or more
About $375

LEVAR FOLLOWS ME, Round 2 // Everything in the $200 package, plus @LeVarBurton will FOLLOW YOU ON TWITTER for one year, and LeVar will write a personal tweet to thank you! Almost 2 MILLION people follow LeVar: now HE'LL follow YOU! (More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $400 or more
About $400

LEVAR FOLLOWS ME, Round 3 // Everything in the $200 package, plus @LeVarBurton will FOLLOW YOU ON TWITTER for one year, and LeVar will write a personal tweet to thank you! Almost 2 MILLION people follow LeVar: now HE'LL follow YOU! (More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $400 or more
About $400

KATEE SACKHOFF & THE CAST OF BSG + READING RAINBOW LIVE! /// Bring the kids! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar, Katee Sackhoff, and her friends from Battlestar Galactica (Edward James Olmos, Jamie Bamber, Michael Trucco & Tricia Helfer) for a special LIVE event in LOS ANGELES, where the group will read stories to you and your kids! You'll get to MEET LeVar and the cast after the event for photos and signatures, and you’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! /// Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Event will be in Los Angeles in August 2014. Exact date TBD. Does NOT include any other rewards. If you want the rewards in the $200 package, please add $200 to your total pledge amount.

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Pledge $500 or more
About $500

RRL + WILLIAM SHATNER /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar and William Shatner for a special LIVE storytime event in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. (Date TBD, Fall 2014. More details under REWARDS.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

RRL + THE MEN OF STAR TREK /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn & Robert Picardo for a special LIVE event in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Event timing TBD, Spring 2015.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

RRL + THE WOMEN OF STAR TREK /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar, Kate Mulgrew, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden and Jeri Ryan for a special LIVE event in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Event timing TBD. More details under REWARDS.

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Pledge $750 or more
About $750

OFFICIAL STAR TREK CONVENTION + MEET LEVAR in LAS VEGAS! // You and a guest will receive two full passes to attend the STAR TREK CONVENTION in LAS VEGAS in JULY 2014, where you'll also attend a private VIP Meet & Greet with LeVar. Get an autograph, take a selfie, or just ask him a few questions: your choice! Plus, you'll each get a signed headshot! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $750 or more
About $750

ATTEND FANDOMFEST + MEET LEVAR in LOUISVILLE! // You and a guest will receive two full passes to attend the FANDOM FEST in LOUISVILLE, KY in AUGUST 2014, where you'll also attend a private VIP Meet & Greet with LeVar. Get an autograph, take a selfie, or just ask him a few questions: your choice! Plus, you'll each get a signed headshot! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $750 or more
About $750

ATTEND WIZARD WORLD + MEET LEVAR in CHICAGO! // You and a guest will receive two full passes to attend the WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON in CHICAGO in AUGUST 2014, where you'll also attend a private VIP Meet & Greet with LeVar. Get an autograph, take a selfie, or just ask him a few questions: your choice! Plus, you'll each get a signed headshot! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $750 or more
About $750

HELP A LIBRARY Package /// We don't have a LIBRARY version of the Reading Rainbow app (yet!), but while we work on it, this reward lets you donate a COMPLETE DVD SET of the original television series (152 CLASSIC EPISODES) to the LIBRARY of your choice! Plus, we'll put a special label on the box, crediting you as the sponsor! /// Please note: does not include any other rewards. Additional sets available as ADD-ONS.

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Pledge $750 or more
About $750

VERONICA MARS + READING RAINBOW LIVE! /// Bring the kids, Marshmallows. You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar and the stars of VERONICA MARS -- Kristen Bell, Enrico Colantoni and Jason Dohring -- for a special LIVE event in LOS ANGELES, where the group will read stories to you and your kids! You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! /// Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Date TBD, Spring 2015. Does NOT include any other rewards. If you want the rewards in the $200 package, please add $200 to your total pledge amount.

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Pledge $750 or more
About $750

The PONO + RR COLLECTOR'S EDITION PONOPLAYER Package /// Created as a one-time exclusive for this campaign by PonoMusic, this sleek chrome PonoPlayer is engraved with LeVar's signature, preloaded with tracks, and offers a music listening experience second to none. ONLY 20 AVAILABLE! /// Does NOT include any other rewards. If you want the rewards in the $200 package, please add $200 to your total pledge amount.

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Pledge $800 or more
About $800

READING RAINBOW LIVE in LOS ANGELES // Take the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to see LeVar read a few books AND you'll join him for a PRIVATE MEET & GREET, where you can get autographs and take photos. PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. (Date TBD. More details under REWARDS.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $800 or more
About $800

READING RAINBOW LIVE in NEW YORK // Take the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to see LeVar read a few books AND you'll join him for a PRIVATE MEET & GREET, where you can get autographs and take photos. PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. (Date TBD. More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $800 or more
About $800

READING RAINBOW LIVE in TORONTO // Take the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to see LeVar read a few books AND you'll join him for a PRIVATE MEET & GREET, where you can get autographs and take photos. PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. (Date TBD. More details under REWARDS.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $800 or more
About $800

RRL + MEET THE WOMEN OF STAR TREK /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar, Kate Mulgrew, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden & Jeri Ryan for a special LIVE EVENT with a storytime + Q&A in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! Plus, you’ll get time to talk to LeVar and his friends at a small Meet & Greet. PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Date TBD, Spring 2015. More details under REWARDS.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $800 or more
About $800

RRL + MEET THE MEN OF STAR TREK /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn & Robert Picardo for a special LIVE EVENT with a storytime + Q&A in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! Plus, you’ll get time to talk to LeVar and his friends at a small Meet & Greet. PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Date TBD, Spring 2015. More details under REWARDS.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $800 or more
About $800

RRL + MEET WILLIAM SHATNER /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar and William Shatner for a special LIVE EVENT with a storytime + Q&A in LOS ANGELES. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! AND you’ll get time to talk to LeVar and Bill at a small Meet & Greet. PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. Date TBD, Fall 2014. More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $900 or more
About $900

RRL + PATRICK STEWART /// Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar and Patrick Stewart for a special LIVE EVENT with a storytime + Q&A in NEW YORK CITY. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. (Date TBD, Fall 2014. More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $1,200 or more
About $1,200

RR LIVE! with… PATRICK STEWART (Early Bird) // Bring the family! You'll have 3 TICKETS to join LeVar and Patrick Stewart for a special LIVE storytime event in NEW YORK CITY. You’ll also go home with a few awesome souvenirs and an autograph! PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. (Date TBD, b/w Aug 2014-June 2015. More details under REWARDS.)

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Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

GROUP PICNIC with LEVAR // You and a guest will join LeVar and a small group of fellow backers for a picnic lunch in Los Angeles! PLUS, you get everything in the $200 package! // Please note: travel & accommodations are NOT included. (Date TBD. More details under REWARDS.)